We are home! We had a grand old time at the beach. Our last few days had some iffy weather, but luckily it was not a total wash. (And luckily there were no August hurricanes!)
{Missing Melissa}
Mr. Birch really seemed to enjoy the change of scenery, and he ended up liking the sand. He only tried to eat it once, surprisingly. He did carefully select several snack-looking shells from the sand to eat, so he had to be closely watched. And he loved his little pool!
Date Night At Kimball’s Kitchen
On Thursday night Thomas and I snuck away for a date night at the Sanderling Resort (where we got engaged!)
We went to Kimball’s, which is the restaurant where we had dinner right after our engagement! It’s such a fun tradition to go back.
We shared a burrata and tomato app, which was delish.
And for our entrees, T had seared tuna and I ordered scallops with crab and arugula. Both were so good, and we were stuffed! But not too stuffed to go home to a slice of Nona’s Key Lime Pie!
Final Beach Day
Many of you asked me about my sling. It’s a mesh water-safe one from Amazon that you can wear in water. I actually haven’t worn it in water yet, but it was good to know I could get sunscreen on it! I wouldn’t recommend it for long beach walks, but it’s great for a quick baby wear sesh. Also from Amazon? This travel white noise maker. It’s 100% awesome.
And Birch’s little suit is Amazon too!
One Piece 4 Eva
Many of you commented on my suit too! It’s by Albion Fit and SO comfortable. I loved the high neck so the girls stayed in from all angles. I also have this crop top which is basically a sports bra and was so nice for the ocean. I want to buy 10 more of their suits, but they are not cheap. Wearing a one piece to the beach was a total game changer. I felt like I was wearing athletic clothes. When waves crashed into me I didn’t have to adjust my straps or pull up my bottoms. I don’t know if I will ever wear a bikini in the ocean again!
Final Happy Hour
Two parents, two laps!
Our Beach Video!
In case you missed it…
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Reunited
We woke up at 5:45 on departure day and hit the road before 8 to beat all the traffic. It was a smart choice because we were home by 1:00! Lauren house sat for us while we were gone and took such good care of our Gussie dog. He is walking much better!
It’s Time To Get Back To A Routine
I secretly love the end of summer. I did a good bit of meal prep yesterday. Mazen starts first grade on Wednesday. I cleaned out the pantry. I think my house is due for a big organization overhaul too! For our family at least, summer is over.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Seems like everyone had a great time! It’s been so long since I’ve been to the beach. And that wrist tan – haha! 😛
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
CJ says
So you’ll know for next time … it’s really unsafe to bury anyone in sand. Experts advise keeping a towel between skin and sand because of all the bacteria that live in sand. Here’s some background info (or just do a quick Google search): https://www.livescience.com/62898-sand-beach-pathogens-germs-diseases.html
Polly says
Interesting! I remember years ago, my sister-in-law saying that it was really dangerous to bury someone in the sand but I didn’t ask why. I assumed it was something to do with being trapped if a big wave comes.
KathEats says
I’ve never heard this either, and *lightly* burying people in sand has been a pastime for centuries. I do know there are big dangers with sand tunnels and big holes that can collapse. Birch could wiggle his toes right out, so that wasn’t the case. If there is bacteria from being under the sand, wouldn’t you get it while playing in it too? Building sandcastles and swimming in the surf?
CJ says
Yes, you can absolutely get ill from activities that include walking on the beach and swimming in the surf if there is any scratch or cut that can permit the bacteria to enter. Over the past two summers, there have been an increasing number of reports of children and adults contracting both hookworm (here’s an article from the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/07/26/hookworms-burrowed-into-a-teenagers-skin-during-a-trip-to-florida-you-cant-unsee-these-images/) and Vibrio, which is a very dangerous flesh-eating bacteria (CBS reported one story earlier this summer: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flesh-eating-bacteria-vibrio-reported-in-maryland-boy-ocean-city/) while playing in sand and swimming. News reports have come from Atlantic coast states from Florida to Maryland. The CDC has warned against eating raw oysters because of Vibrio, and I’ve heard that ferry operators in NC have started to keep bleach on the ferries so that they can pour it on any cuts exposed to salt water — Vibrio is that much of a threat. A man in NC almost lost his life last fall after processing — not even eating, just processing — raw shrimp and contracting Vibrio. To be fair, most things in life are dangerous, and no one wants to miss out on all the fun things just because there’s an element of danger. (And bacteria lurk in all kinds of places, including lakes, rivers and even water parks.) The first step in managing any risk is to recognize that it exists and figure out how to mitigate it.
Bonnie says
Thanks so much, CJ! Knowledge is power. So many things that we weren’t aware of years ago can be avoided with more knowledge. Illness probably wasn’t connection to some actions before we knew this. Thank you for actively sharing!
Tonya says
That pic of Gus and Birch is a sure classic! Also, your family has SO MANY SETS OF AWESOME GRANDPARENTS!
Laura says
I also started wearing one pieces to the beach this year because I didn’t want my kids to yank anything and expose me! I love another bonus of the one piece: not having to apply as much sunscreen! It’s so nice only doing my arm, legs and shoulders/upper back!
Caitlin E says
We have the same mesh ring sling (and the drool bib that they threw in for free) and love it! I like to use ours when we’ll be walking around outside when it’s super hot and humid, it’s much cooler than the regular ring sling other carriers. I’ve also used it in the water and my son (4months) loved it so much that he took a nap while bobbing in the water on me!
lulu says
can you share where you got your necklace in the date night wine pic?
KathEats says
It’s similar to this one but mine is rose gold and wood. I don’t know if they still make mine. It was a gift from Thomas for my bday and has M+B engraved on it.
lulu says
Thanks! Your rose gold one is gorgeous.
Amanda says
I’m so ready for summer to be over with too! But, we have one more beach trip in a couple of weeks which I’m looking forward to but also want to not be so hot and sweaty all the time! Looks like you had a great time and I love your video 🙂
Vera says
Looks like a fun vacation!!!
I had a quick question, you spoke highly of noxzema face washnone time. Does it deep clean and remove makeup?
KathEats says
It does do those things. I love it on occasion. Very refreshing. Can be irritating and there is fragrance added.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Birch is so adorable! Looks like a fun getaway 🙂